Is oregano oil safe during pregnancy?

What does the evidence say about oregano oil during pregnancy?

1. Using a little bit of a spice or herb to flavor food usually carries no known increased risk in pregnancy or breastfeeding, but using the same plant as a tea or an oral supplement is often not advised. 1
2. Oregano holds generally recognized as safe status from the FDA as a food ingredient, but amounts higher than culinary flavoring should probably be avoided, and no data exist on the safety or efficacy of medicinal oregano in nursing mothers or infants. 2
3. Many herbal supplements have never been evaluated for use in pregnancy, there are no standards for ingredients or strength, and products may contain unlisted ingredients or contaminants such as lead, arsenic, and mercury. 3
4. Essential oils are most often used by inhaling them or applying a diluted form to the skin, and little rigorous research has been done on whether they help at all. 4
5. No complementary health approach has been shown to stop people from getting the flu or to relieve flu symptoms, which sets realistic expectations for any botanical marketed for immune defense. 5

Is oregano oil safe in each trimester?

• First trimester. Oregano oil often shows up in first-trimester routines as a natural answer to a cold or a suspected gut issue. There is no pregnancy safety data supporting that use, and this is the trimester where unknowns carry the most weight. Cooking with the dried herb is a different thing and stays fine.
• Second trimester. If you started oregano oil before you knew you were pregnant, that is worth mentioning at your next visit but is not a cause for alarm. Bring the bottle so someone can see the actual concentration and any other ingredients in the carrier oil.
• Third trimester. Concentrated botanical extracts are worth clearing off the shelf before delivery in general, since some affect bleeding and none have been studied against labor. Ask your provider what to stop and when.